Edmond City Council Awards Millions To Man Wrongfully Convicted In 1974 Murder

A man wrongfully convicted of murder was awarded millions of dollars from the City of Edmond.

Glynn Simmons, 71, served nearly five decades in prison before he was exonerated in 2023.

The Edmond City Council authorized on Tuesday a $7.15 million settlement with Glynn Simmons. The lawsuit claimed a former Edmond police detective falsified and withheld evidence in a 1974 murder case that put Simmons in prison.

The wrongful conviction lawsuit against the City of Edmond and Oklahoma City has been in the works since last year. Glynn Simmons and his attorneys held a press conference last September after Simmons' release from prison.

“Any compensation he does have coming his way, it’s uncertain, it’s in the distant future,” said Joe Norwood, attorney. “And at the end of the day, he needs to survive now, tomorrow, next week, next month, and even next year. 

Simmons spent nearly 50 years in prison for a murder he maintained his innocence. The lawsuit claimed the late Edmond police Sergeant Anthony Garrett and retired Oklahoma City Detective Claude Shobert framed Simmons for the 1974 murder.

“Validation and vindication is finally happening you know? This is a lesson in resilience and tenacity,” said Glynn Simmons, wrongfully convicted. “When you know you’re innocent, stick with it don’t stop, don’t let nobody tell you it can’t happen.”

Simmons' council noted in a press release, "This settlement with Edmond will allow him to move forward while also continuing to press his claims against the Oklahoma City defendants."

“This day brings new reawakening to Thomas Jefferson’s words that all men get a fair shake,” said John Coyle, attorney.

Simmons’ attorneys said in the press release they go to court next March for the lawsuit against Oklahoma City. The attorneys said, "We look forward to holding them accountable at trial."

Simmons has started a GoFundMe to help support others who have been freed from wrongful convictions and families currently fighting for those in prison and on death row believed to be innocent.